Smoking article

Abstract

A cigarette provides tobacco flavor by heating tobacco, but not burning tobacco or any other material. A heat source which includes a metal oxide (e.g., calcium oxide), an anhydrous metal sulfate (e.g., magnesium sulfate), an inorganic salt and a sugar, generates heat upon contact of water therewith. The heat produced by the heat source heats tobacco in a heat exchange relationship therewith. Flavors volatilize from the tobacco and are drawn into the mouth of the user of the cigarette. Typical heat sources heat the tobacco to a temperature within 70° C. to 200° C. for 4 to 8 minutes.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A cigarette which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, and including (i) a first chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with a second chemical agent, and a third chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with the first chemical agent, and   (ii) a dispersing agent for the first agent.     
     
     
       2. A cigarette which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, and including (i) a first chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with a second chemical agent,   (ii) a dispersing agent for the first agent, and   (iii) a phase change material.     
     
     
       3. The cigarette of claim 2, wherein the heat source further includes a third chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with the first chemical agent. 
     
     
       4. The cigarette of claim 3, wherein the tobacco is in extruded form. 
     
     
       5. The cigarette of claim 3, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 20 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agents is initiated. 
     
     
       6. The smoking article of claim 1, 2 or 3, including a mouthend piece for delivering flavor volatilized by the heat source to the mouth of the user of the article. 
     
     
       7. The cigarette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the tobacco is in extruded form. 
     
     
       8. The cigarette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the dispersing agent has a granular form. 
     
     
       9. The cigarette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 20 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agents is initiated. 
     
     
       10. The cigarette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 350° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       11. The cigarette of claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 180° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       12. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, and including (i) a first chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with a second chemical agent, and a third chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with the first chemical agent, and   (ii) a dispersing agent for the first agent.     
     
     
       13. The smoking article of claim 12, including a mouthend piece for delivering flavor volatilized by the heat source to the mouth of the user of the article. 
     
     
       14. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: a tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, and including (i) a first chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with a second chemical agent,   (ii) a dispersing agent for the first agent, and   (iii) a phase change material.     
     
     
       15. The smoking article of claim 14, wherein the heat source further includes a third chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with the first chemical agent. 
     
     
       16. The smoking article of claim 15, wherein the tobacco is in extruded form. 
     
     
       17. The smoking article of claim 12 or 14, wherein the tobacco is in extruded form. 
     
     
       18. The smoking article of claim 14, wherein the phase change material has a solid form prior to use of the article. 
     
     
       19. The smoking article of claim 12 or 14, wherein the dispersing agent has a granular form. 
     
     
       20. The smoking article of claim 12 or 14, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C within 20 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agents is initiated. 
     
     
       21. The smoking article of claim 12 or 14, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 10 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agents is initiated. 
     
     
       22. The smoking article of claim 12 or 14, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 350° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       23. The smoking article of claim 12 or 14, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 180° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       24. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, and including (i) at least one chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with water, and   (ii) a dispersing agent for the chemical agent.     
     
     
       25. The smoking article of claim 24, having the form of a cigarette. 
     
     
       26. The smoking article of claim 25, wherein the heat source further includes a phase change material. 
     
     
       27. The smoking article of claim 24 or 25, wherein the tobacco is in an extruded form. 
     
     
       28. The smoking article of claim 24 or 25, wherein the dispersing agent has a granular form. 
     
     
       29. The smoking article of claim 24 or 25, wherein the dispersing agent has a normally solid form. 
     
     
       30. The smoking article of claim 24 or 25, including a mouthend piece for delivering flavor volatilized by the heat source to the mouth of the user of the article. 
     
     
       31. The smoking article of 24, wherein the heat source further includes a phase change material. 
     
     
       32. The smoking article of claim 24 or 31, wherein the heat source includes at least two agents capable of interacting exothermically with water. 
     
     
       33. The smoking article of claim 31 or 26, wherein the phase change material includes a sugar. 
     
     
       34. The smoking article of claim 31 or 26, wherein the phase change material includes a wax. 
     
     
       35. The smoking article of claim 24, 25, 31 or 26, wherein the heat source is capable of heating a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 20 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agent with water is initiated. 
     
     
       36. The smoking article of claim 24, 25, 31 or 26, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 350° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       37. The smoking article of claim 24, 25, 31 or 26, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 180° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       38. The smoking article article of claim 31 or 26, wherein the chemical agent(s), dispersing agent and phase change material have solid forms. 
     
     
       39. The smoking article of claim 24, 25, 31 or 26, wherein the agent capable of interacting exothermically with water includes a metal oxide. 
     
     
       40. The smoking article of claim 24, wherein the agent capable of interacting exothermically with water includes calcium oxide. 
     
     
       41. The smoking article of claim 24, wherein the agent capable of interacting exothermically with water includes anhydrous magnesium sulfate. 
     
     
       42. The smoking article of claim 24, wherein the chemical agent(s) and dispersing agent have solid forms. 
     
     
       43. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, and including (i) a first chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with a second chemical agent, and   (ii) a phase change material.     
     
     
       44. The smoking article of claim 43, having the form of a cigarette. 
     
     
       45. The smoking article of claim 43 or 44, wherein the heat source further includes a third chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with the first chemical agent. 
     
     
       46. The smoking article of claim 45, wherein the phase change material has a solid form prior to use of the article. 
     
     
       47. The smoking article of claim 43 or 44, wherein the phase change material has a solid form prior to use of the article. 
     
     
       48. The smoking article of claim 43 or 44, wherein the tobacco is in extruded form. 
     
     
       49. The smoking article of claim 43 or 44, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 20 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agents is initiated. 
     
     
       50. The smoking article of claim 43 or 44, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 10 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agents is initiated. 
     
     
       51. The smoking article of claim 43 or 44, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 350° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       52. The smoking article of claim 43 or 44, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 180° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       53. The smoking article article of claim 43 or 44, including a mouthend piece for delivering flavor volatilized by the heat source to the mouth of the user of the article. 
     
     
       54. The smoking article of claim 43 or 44, wherein the chemical agent(s) and phase change material have solid forms. 
     
     
       55. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco; and including (i) at least one chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with water, and   (ii) a phase change material.     
     
     
       56. The smoking article of claim 55, having the form of a cigarette. 
     
     
       57. The smoking article of claim 55 or 56, wherein the agent capable of interacting exothermically with water includes a metal oxide. 
     
     
       58. The smoking article of claim 55 or 56, wherein the agent capable of interacting exothermically with water includes anhydrous magnesium sulfate. 
     
     
       59. The smoking article of claim 55 or 56, wherein the heat source includes at least two agents capable of interacting exothermically with water. 
     
     
       60. The smoking article of claim 55 or 56, wherein the tobacco is in an extruded form. 
     
     
       61. The smoking article of claim 55 or 56, wherein the heat source is capable of heating a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 20 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agent with water is initiated. 
     
     
       62. The smoking article of claim 55 or 56, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 350° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       63. The smoking article of claim 55 or 56, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 180° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       64. The smoking article of claim 55 or 56, including a mouthend piece for delivering flavor volatilized by the heat source to the mouth of the user of the article. 
     
     
       65. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, and including: (i) a first chemical agent,   (ii) a second chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with the first chemical agent,   (iii) a third chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with the first chemical agent; the heat source being capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to at least about 70° C. within 20 seconds of initiation and to a maximum temperature of less than about 200° C.       
     
     
       66. The smoking article of claim 65, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to at least about 70° C. within 10 seconds of initiation and to a maximum temperature of less than about 180° C. 
     
     
       67. The smoking article of claim 65 or 66, wherein the heat source further includes a dispersing agent. 
     
     
       68. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) a tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, the heat source including at least one chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with water; the heat source being capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to at least about 70° C. within 20 seconds of initiation and to a maximum temperature of less than about 200° C.   
     
     
       69. The smoking article of claim 68, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to at least about 70° C. within 10 seconds of initiation and to a maximum temperature of less than about 180° C. 
     
     
       70. The smoking article of claim 68 or 69, wherein the heat source further includes a dispersing agent. 
     
     
       71. The smoking article of claim 67 or 70, wherein the dispersing agent has a normally solid form. 
     
     
       72. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating the tobacco, and including: (i) first, second and third chemical agents capable of undergoing an exothermic chemical reaction with one another,   (ii) a fourth agent capable of reacting with a reaction product of the exothermic chemical reaction to regenerate the second and third chemical agents for reaction with remaining first chemical agent.     
     
     
       73. The smoking article of claim 72, wherein the first agent is magnesium and/or aluminum, the second agent is water, the third agent is sodium hydroxide, and the fourth agent is sodium nitrite and/or sodium nitrate. 
     
     
       74. The smoking article of claim 52, 68, 72 or 73, including a mouthend piece for delivering flavor volatilized by the heat source to the mouth of the user of the article. 
     
     
       75. The smoking article of claim 73, having the form of a cigarette. 
     
     
       76. The smoking article of claim 73, wherein the amount of first agent and fourth agent per cigarette ranges from about 50 mg to about 300 mg. 
     
     
       77. A smoking article which does not burn tobacco comprising: (a) tobacco; and   (b) a physically separate, non-combustion heat source for heating but not burning the tobacco, and including () a first chemical agent capable of interacting exothermically with a second chemical agent, and   (ii) a normally solid dispersing agent for the first agent.     
     
     
       78. The smoking article of claim 77, having the form of a cigarette. 
     
     
       79. The smoking article of claim 77 or 78, wherein the dispersing agent has a granular form. 
     
     
       80. The smoking article of claim 77 or 78, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 20 second from the time that exothermical interaction of the chemical agents is initiated. 
     
     
       81. The smoking article of claim 77 or 78, wherein the heat source is capable of heating at least a portion of the tobacco to a temperature in excess of about 70° C. within 10 seconds from the time that exothermic interaction of the chemical agents is initiated. 
     
     
       82. The smoking article of claim 77 or 78, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 350° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       83. The smoking article of claim 77 or 78, wherein the heat source is such that the tobacco is not heated to a temperature above about 180° C. during the life of the heat source. 
     
     
       84. The smoking article of claim 77 or 78, wherein the tobacco is in extruded from.